SINO-JAPANESE PROBLEM

Evening Star, Issue 22682, 23 June 1937, Page 7

SINO-JAPANESE PROBLEM

EFFECT QF CHINA'S UNITY THREAT FORCES AGGRESSORS TO RETIRE OR E. N. HERRINGTON'S IMPRESSIONS Sino-Japaneso relations formed the most crucial problem discussed at the last conference of the Institute of Pacific ,Ilelations, according to Dr E. N, Merrington, master of Knox College, in an interesting address, based on his impressions of his reent world tour, to the Otago Historical Society at the Museum last evening. Hr J, 11. Elder presided. At the conference of the institute, to which he was a delegate, discussions revolved around the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, but most attention was devoted to the Sino-J apanese problem, he said. From the outset it was apparent that Japan was on the defensive. They seemed to have the feeling that they had lost faith, which, in the East, was a very serious calamity. That, perhaps, accounted for their milder <and more conferential attitude. Important facts which had emerged were the effects of Japanese economic and political expansion, when it was going to stop, and where. Of great interest to New Zealand, he said, was China’s threatened unity under General Chiang Kai-shek. The Chinese delegates at the conference spoke as though they knew what they were talking about. It was made quite clear that if Japan continued to make encroachments on China and to interfere with the integrity of its Government, then China would resist as a united nation, as she had never resisted before. The' obvious determination of the Chinese to carry out their threat bo doubt had a tremendous effect on the Japanese. It was noticeable to-day that the Japanese were adopting a less aggressive attitude. In the meantime, “ this is something we have to be thankful for,” said Dr Merrington. RUSSIA’S INFLUENCE. Russia, he said, was also considered at the conference, and the two Soviet delegates, particularly Molotov, who was the more remarkable of the two, presented an illuminating picture of the development of the vast country—more vast than most people imagined—and assured the conference that the Soviet Government was too busy looking after its own affairs to think of aggression in other lands. In reply to Japanese charges of establishing Communism in China, Molotov had simply replied that “ Communism is not an exportable commodity.” That, said Dr Merrington, seemed to be a strange statement, hut it was explained that unless there was a demand for that brand of politics it could not bo developed in any country. Communism could not be exported to a country which did not want it. Dr Merrington related many experiences encountered during his trip abroad, though ho confined his remarks mostly to the great American Continent, which, ho maintained, few people in New Zealand knew much about. It was neglected by New Zealand tourists although many of the most interesting things in the world were to be seen there. He referred to the remarkable development of the United States of America, and went on to deal at length with the centenary celebrations of Harvard University, to which he was a delegate. He concluded with a dramatic description of events immediately prior to arid following the abdication of King Edward VIII. He was in England at the time, and he had been afforded the privilege of being present in the House of Commons when the historic addresses announcing the abdication were delivered. At the conclusion of the address Dr Merrington was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.